Escherichia coli from cellulitis lesions in broilers

Samples of chicken broiler lesions were collected at a poultry slaughterhouse in the Bahia Reconcavo region to recover Escherichia coli for phenotypic and genotypic characterization. Poultries used in current research came from four poultry houses in the same region. Weight of cellulitis lesions ranged between 0.9 and 1.7 g, of which 85 % (34/40) were on the left side of the broiler. E. coli was isolated in 82.5 % (33/40) of samples with cellulitis lesions. Gene iss was identified in 87.9 % (29/33) of the samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) verified iss genes to serum resistance, identifying avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Iss was detected in 87.9 % of isolates. Results suggest that the partial removal of cellulitis lesions merely decrease the carcass’s repugnant aspect, or rather, it is more aesthetic than hygienic. A re-evaluation of the criteria used is required to notify avian cellulitis cases so that safety in the consumption of broiler-derived products may be guaranteed.